Convertible chair and cot



(No Model.) 3 sheets-sneak. P. CLLEWIS CONVERTIBLE CHAIR AND 001. No.369,347. Patented Sept. 6, 1887 n. rams. mamww, Wahington. ac

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

P; O. LEWIS.

GONVERTIBLE CHAIR AND GOT. v No. 369,847 Patented Sept. 6, 1887.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

P. G. LEWIS.

CONVERTIBLE CHAIR AND GOT.

NO. 369,347. Patented Sept. 6, 1887.

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lhvrrn STATES PATENT @rrrcn.

PEARL CLINTON LEVIS, OF OATSKILL, NEXV YORK.

CONVERTIBLE CHAIR AND COT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 369,347, datedSeptember 6, 1887 Serial No. 220,292. [No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PEARL CLINTON Lnwrs, a citizen of the United States,residing at Catskill, in the county of Greene and State of New York,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Convertible Chairs andCots, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in convertible chairs and cots; andit consists of the peculiar combination of devices and novelconstruction and arrangement of the various parts for service,substantially as hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointedout in the claims.

The primary object of my invention is to provide an improved convertiblechair and cot which can be readily adjusted while the occupant is seatedtherein, so that the back can be adjusted at a greater or less angle tothe seat, and the latter can be held from rocking or moving on the base.

A further object of my invention is to provide a spring for returningthe adjustable back ofthe convertible chair and cot to an uprightposition, which shall thus partially relieve the coiled springsintermediate of the base and rocker of a portion of the weight of theoccupant, and to provide the spring with means for varying the tensionor power thereof.

A further object of my invention is to provide the chair with animproved extensible head-rest that can be readily adjusted by theoccupant of the chair; and, finally, the object of my invention is toprovide improved means for limiting the oscillating motion of the seatupon the base and to prevent the said seat from becoming accidentallydisplaced on the base when the n eight of the person is superimposedupon the front part of the seat and the footrcst connected therewith, sothat the coiled springs between the base and seat will not be undulystrained.

A further object of the invention is to provide a reclining-chair with arocking arrangement, whereby the occupant can rock himself whilereclining without touching his feet on the floor.

In the drawings hereto anneXed,which form a part of this specification,and which illustrate a convertible chair and cot embodying myimprovements, Figurel is a side elevation of the device adjusted for useas a cot. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device in the same positionas in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevati on ofmy invention adjusted foruse as a chair. Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view on theline as m of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view on the line a;wof Fig. 3. Figs. 6 and 7 are detached detail views of parts of myimprovements. Fig. 8 is aside elevation, partly in section, to moreclearly show the manner of holding the lower end of the returnspring.

Referring to the drawings, in which like letters of reference denotecorresponding parts in all the figures, A designates the base of aconvertible chair and cot embodying my improvements, and B theoscillating seat which is mounted upon the base and free to move backand forth thereon. the parallel sides I) of the oscillating seat-frameare curved, as shown, to form rockers, which rest upon the upper edgesof the corresponding sides of the base, and coiled springs G areconnected with the said base and oscillating seat to return the latterto a horizontal position and retain it in this position at all times,these springs being arranged within the sidepieces of the base and seatto be concealed from view thereby, and also of the ordinary constructionat present in use in rockers of this class.

E designates an adjustable back, which is pivotally connected at itslower end with the rear end of the seat, as at 0, so that it is adaptedto be turned to an upright position for use as a chair or into ahorizontal position to be used as a cot. The said back is assisted andsupported when it assumes a horizontal position by means of a pair offolding legs, E, which are pivotally connected at their upper ends tothe sides of the frame of which the back is formed. These legs areadapted to rest upon the floor to support the back in its horizontalposition and relieve the pivots thereof of a great portion of the strainand weight exerted thereon by the occupant; and when the back isadjusted to an upright position the legs are folded within the sides ofthe frame of which the back is formed, to be entirely concealed fromview except from the rear of the device, the legs being held in theirfolded position by The lower edges of 7c means of suitable catches,e,which preferably comprise swinging plates that are pivoted to the sidesof the back-frame, as is obvious.

The back of the chair is braced by means of adjustable arms F, which arepivotally connected at their rear ends to the sides of the back, as atf, and the front ends of the said arms are pivoted to links G, which arein turn pivoted to the sides of the seat-frame at the front end thereof,as at 9. These arms and their links are adapted to fold with the backwhen it is adjusted from an upright to a horizontal position, and viceversa; and the back and the arms, as well as the links thereof, are heldin their adjusted positions by means of a brace, H, which is pivoted atits upper end to the pivoted link G at an intermediate point of thelength of the latter. The lower end of the brace, one of which isprovided for each arm and its link, is passed through an opening orloop, t, that is formed on a fixed plate, I, which is rigidly secured tothe side of the seat B, between the point of connection thereto of theback and the link. This fixed plate is further provided with an integralthreaded stud, j, which projects outwardly therefrom,

and on this threaded stud is loosely fitted a.

boss, J, that is forcibly pressed against the brace H by means of arotary hand piece or wheel, J, that works on the threaded stud, asshown. This boss serves the purpose of a washer, and when the hand pieceor wheel is tightened the boss is pressed against the brace to firmlyclamp the latter by frictional contact between the fixed plate and theboss working on the stud thereof. This brace is thus adjustablyconnected with the fixed plate and the seat to which the said plate issecured, so that by lengthening or shortening the brace between thepoints of connection between the link G and the seat the position of thearm and the seat attached thereto can be varied. The hand-wheels of boththe clamping devices for the braces of the arms of the chair are to bereleased slightly and at the same time to permit this adjustment of theback, the wheels being loosened gradually to allow the back to fall ordrop gradually without alarming or causing apprehension to the occupant,which is very desirable, especially with invalids.

In order to facilitate the adjustment of the swinging back from ahorizontal to an upright position when the occupant rises from the cotand the hand-wheels of the clamping devices are released, I employ areturn-spring, L, that is preferably made of a single piece of stoutstrong spring-wire, and is connected with the base and the back. Theupper end of the longitudinally-curved wire spring is connected with aplate, Z, that is rigidly affixed to the back, on the inner side of oneof the side rails thereof, and the lower end of the said returnspring isconnected by a clamping device, M, with the base of the chair, saidclamping device being arranged on the inner side of the base and therebyconcealed from view. This clamping device M comprises a bolt or threadedpin, m, which passes through a suitable transverse opening in one of thesides of the base A, and the inner end of this transverse bolt or pin isprovided with an enlarged head,through which is formed an eye or openingfor the passage of the lower end of the spring L, a thumb-nut or othersuitable device, m, being applied to the outer end of the threaded boltto draw the head thereof and the wire spring against the inner side ofthe base and thereby hold the said spring from movement. It will be seenthat the thumb-nut can be readily released or loosened to permit thebolt to have an endwise movement, and thus release the lower end of thereturn-spring,which can thus be moved very freely and easily through theeye or opening in the head thereof to vary the power or tension of thespring, after which the nut is again tightened to hold the spring fromdisplacement with relation to the bolt of the clamping device. Thisspring is made of sufficient strength and resistance to return the backand a person of light weight to an upright position when the clampingdevice for the brace is released, so that the back can be elevated to anupright from a horizontal posi-. tion while the occupant is in thechair. This spring also serves to relieve the coiled springs D of aportion of the weight and strain that is brought upon the same when theback is moved from an upright to an approximately horizontal position.

' N designates a device for holding the oscillating seat-frame frommovement on the base which is to be employed when the structure isused'for a cot. This device comprises an arm or link, a, which isarranged within one of the sides of the base and seat-frame, and thelower end of the said link is pivotally connected to the base, while theopposite end of the link is provided with a longitudinal slot, throughwhich passes the inner end of a threaded pin or bolt, n, that has anenlarged head, at, which impinges or bears against the inner side of theadjustable arm or link a and serves to press or clamp the latter againstthe seat-frame. A boss, 0, is fitted on the outer end of the threadedpin or bolt n, and against this boss bears a hand-wheel or other device,0, which presses the boss against a fixed washer or plate, 0", which isinterposed between the boss and the seat-frame. When the hand-wheel isreleased, the threaded pin or bolt is free to ride or move in thelongitudinal slot of the pivoted arm or link, while the latter is freeto move on its pivot, and thus accommodate and vary its positionaccordingto the position of the chair. When the handwheel or nut istightened, the boss is pressed against the fixed washer or plate, andthe threaded pin or bolt is drawn upon to press its enlarged headagainst the free end of the swinging arm or link, which in turn ispressed against the seat-frame and held against movement by frictionalcontact with the head of the bolt and the seat-frame. The hand-wheel ornut of this clamping device is also within convenient reach of theoperator seated in the oscillating seat, so that the seat can beprevented from movement on the base by the occupant without leaving thechair, and the chair-seat can be locked against movement in any desiredposition either when it is tilted forward or backward or when it is in ahorizontal position.

The upper end of the swinging back of my improved convertible chair andcot is provided with an extensible head-rest, I. The upper ends of thesides of the frame of the said back are extended beyond the transversebar 2, which connects these sides together, and in the opposing faces ofthe extended ends of the sides of the frame of the back are formedlongitudinal grooves p, in which are fitted the extremities of a crossrail or bar, P, which forms the head-rest. This "bar is to be suitablyupholstered and ornamented to present a neat and attractive appearance,and it is free to move in the grooves of the frame of the back, and tothe lower edge of the said sliding head-rest is rigidly affixed a seriesof bars or rods, g, which move therewith and serve to increase theornamental effect of the head-rest. The lower ends of the bars or rodsare passed through transverse openings (indicated by dotted lines inFig. 2) in the upper transverse rail or bar which connects the sides ofthe frame of the back together. These rods or bars serve to guide theextensible head-rest and to brace the same; and when the head-rest isextended they move therewith, the said rods moving freely through theopenings in the transverse bar of the back.

I will now proceed to describe my improved foot-rest, which can beattached to the seat and disconnected therefrom to serve as an ottoman.

It designates the foot-rest, which has a frame, 1', of any preferredform-as, for instance, square.

At one end of the foot-rest and on opposite sides thereof are arrangedextensible slides T, which are adapted to connect the foot-rest to theseat of the chair or cot. These slides preferably comprise slottedplates, which are connected to the foot-rest by means of headed pins orscrews t, which pass through the slots and into the frame of thefoot-rest, so that the slides are free to have an cndwise movement; andthe front ends of the slides are provided with hooks t, which areadapted to take over headed pins or studs T, which are rigidly affixedto the sides of the seat-frame at the front end thereof, as shown inFigs. 1 and 3.

U designates the folding rack-bars, which serve to support the outer endof the foot-rest when the latter is connected to the seat, and which canbe compactly folded when the said foot-rest is adapted for service as astool or ottoman. One of these rack-bars is provided on the side of theframe of the foot-rest where the extensible slides are arranged, andeach bar is made in two sections, U U which are pivoted together and areadapted to be folded upon one another. One end of the section U ishinged or pivoted to the foot-rest at the rear end thereof, and the freeend of the other section, U is provided with a series of notches, n, inits lower edge, into which are adapted to take headed pins or studs a,which are rigidly aiiixed to the base A of the convertible chair or cot,so as to support the outer end of the foot-rest, while the inner endthereof is supported by the extensible slides connected with theseat-frame. The section U of the folding rack-bars has one end extendedbeyond the corresponding end of the section U, which is pivoted thereto,and when the sections are unfolded for use this extended end projects inrear of the pivot between the two sections of the rack-bar, so that asliding sleeve or collar, V, can be fitted over the meeting ends of thesections and prevent them from collapsing when weight is superimposedupon the foot-rest. Vhen the sections of the rackbars are folded uponone another, the sliding sleeve is fitted over the notched end of thesection U and a notch is formed in the ex tended end of the said sectionU which is adapted to take over one of the pins or studs which connectone of the extensible slides to the i'ootrest. One end of the foldingrack-bar is supported by the pivot which connects the section U to thefoot-rest, while the other end thereof is supported by one of the headedpins or studs which connect the extensible slides to the foot-rest.

In order to connect the foot-rest to the seat the folding rack-bars aredetached from the headed pins or studs of the extensible slides, and thesliding sleeve is fitted over the extended notched end of one of thesections thereof to hold the sections of the rack-bars in line with eachother and rigid or firm. The slides are extended beyond the front end ofthe foot rest, and the hooks thereof are caught over theheaded pinsorstnds on the seat-frame. The rack-bars are also fitted over the pinsor studs on the base, so that the pins will enter the notches thereof.The foot-rest can be ad justed to assume a parallel position with theseat or an inclined position above or beneath the same, as the rack-barsslide free over the pins when the foot-rest is elevated,and the freeends of the said bars can be disengaged from the pins when it is desiredto lower the footrest.

This being the construction of my improved convertible chair and cot,the operation thereof is as follows: Vhen it is desired to use thedevice for a rocker, the swinging backis turned to an upright position,which will be convenient to the occupant, and the footrest is detaehedfrom the seat. The back is held in its adjusted position by means of theclamping devices engaging the adjustable braces for the arms, so thatthe seat can be rocked back and forth. The coiled springs return theseat to a horizontal position, and the return-spring assists the saidcoiled springs to partially relieve the strain thereon and therebyincrease the durability thereof. The folding rack-bars are occupant torise.

folded compactly together and connected with the frame of the foot-rest.The back can be lowered slightly to suit the convenience of the occupantof the chair without requiring him to get up, as it is only necessary torelease the hand-wheels slightly and throw the weight upon the back.When it is desired to use the device as a cot, the back is lowered, theseat is clamped and held from movement by theclamping device, and thefoot-rest connected with the seat in the manner described. The foldinglegs for the back are dropped down to rest on the floor, and therebysupport the back, and the foot-rest elevated to the desired angle orposition, the extensible head-rest to the back being drawn out orremaining stationary, as may be deemed necessary. It will be seen thatthe back, the seat, and the foot-rest are all disposed in substantiallythe same horizontal plane when the device is adjusted for use as a cot,and that the several parts are securely connected and braced together torender the cot steady and firm.

The various clamping devices are within convenient reach of the occupantof the chair, so that the parts thereof can be readily manipulated andadjusted without compelling the The foot-rest can be readily elevated bydrawing upon the free end thereof, and the seat can be prevented frommovement very readily by merely operating the clamping device providedfor this purpose.

I would state that while I deem the devices and mechanisms herein shownand described as best adapted for carrying my invention into practice,still I reserve the right to make such changes and modifications asfairly fall within the scope of my invention.

I lay special stress and importance on the peculiar combination ofdevices which enables me to readily and easily convert the chairinto areclining rockingchair. To adapt the device for this service I connectthe foot-rest to the seat and adjust it to the proper angle or position,and the operator then takes his seat and lowers the back gradually untilit also has been adjusted to suit his comfort, it being'understood thatthe seat-clamping device has been used to prevent the seat frommovement.

This clamping device is now released, so as to' permit the seat to befree tooscillate. The occupant can rock himself while in a recliningposition by pressing with his feet upon the foot-rest, and thus throwthe weight into the back of the chair,which will cause the seat and theparts connected thereto to rock in one direction, and by removing thepressure on the foot-rest the seat and the back and foot rest will berocked in the reverse direction by the return-spri11g, which is ofsufficient power to effect the elevation of the seat and its occupant.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a chair, the combination,with a stationary base, of an oscillating seat mounted thereon, andhaving a back-spring intermediate of the base and seat and areturn-spring connected to the stationary base and the back,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a chair, the combination of a stationary base, a springactuatedoscillating seat supported thereon, a back carried by the seat tooscillate therewith, a returnspring connected to the back, and aclamping device supported on the base for adj ustably connecting thespring thereto, as and for the purpose described; I

3. In a chair, the combination, with a seat and base, of an adjustableback pivoted to the seat, an arm pivoted'to the back, a linkintermediate of the arm and seat, a return-spring connected to the back,and a clamping device on the base, to which the lower end of the springis adjustably connected, whereby the tension of the spring can bevaried, as and for the purpose set forth.

4:. The combination, with a base and a seat supported thereon, of anadjustable swinging back pivoted to the seat, a return-spring connectedat one end to the back, a threaded pin or bolt having an eye throughwhich the opposite end of the spring is passed, and a nut fitted on thesaid bolt, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

5. In a chair, the combination of the stationary base, the oscillatingseat thereon, the back hinged to the seat, and the springs L, connectingthe base and back, for the purpose set forth.

6. The combination of a seat, a back pivoted thereto, the arm pivoted tothe back and connected with the seat by an intermediate link, a bracepivoted to the arm, and a clamping device connected to theseat at apoint be tween the lower pivotal ends of the back and link, and having afixed plate provided with a loop through which the lower end of thebrace passes, the threaded stud, a boss fitted over the stud and bearingagainst the brace, and a wheel or nut working on the stud to press theboss against the brace to hold the latter in place by frictionalcontact, substantially as described.

7. The combination, with a base and a seat free to oscillate thereon, ofa clamping device intermediate of the base and seat and comprising aslotted arm or link pivoted to the base, the threaded pin having thehead bearing against the arm or link, the boss fitted on the threadedpin, and the hand-wheel or nut, substantially as described.

8. In a convertible chair and cot, the combination of a base, the seatthereon, a back pivoted to one end of the seat and adapted to beadjusted in line therewith, the folding legs pivoted to the back tosupport the outer end thereof when the back is adjusted in substantiallya horizontal position, the foot-rest having the extensible slides todetachably connect the IIC same to the opposite end of the seat, and therack-bars intermediate of the free end of the footrest and the base,substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

9. The herein-described foot-rest for convertible chairs and cots,having the extensible slides provided with the longitudinal slots andthe hooks at one end, the headed pins passing through the slots of theslides and secured in the frame of the foot-rest and the rack-bars,substantially as described.

10. The herein-described foot-rest, having means for detachablyconnecting one end thereof to the seat of a convertible chair and cot,and the rack-bars pivoted at one end to the foot-rest and made in twosections, one secr tion being provided with a series of notches, and asliding sleeve for connecting either end of the notched section to thepivoted section, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in presence of two Witnesses.

PEARL CLINTON LEWIS.

Witnesses:

G. H. Jonns, HENRY D. Snonns.

